QPR transfer policy a 'gamble', says Newcastle managing director

Having seen the Magpies lose out to the west London club in the race for Loic Remy in January, Derek Llambias has lauded Rs owner Tony Fernandes' risky approach

Newcastle managing director Derek Llambias believes QPR have taken a huge gamble in an attempt to retain their Premier League status.

The relegation-threatened west London club twice broke their transfer record during the January transfer window in order to sign Loic Remy and Christopher Samba on lucrative deals.

And, despite the Magpies having lost out in the race to capture Remy due to the Rs' superior financial offer, Llambias believes Newcastle would have acted similarly in such a desperate situation.

“We put a lot of work into that deal," he told the Newcastle Chronicle. “It is like everything else, we do not really want to break our policies.

“If you do not want to come here and play then it is your choice. He made the decision, so there you go. What can I say.

"Tony is a good guy and a good owner and has passion for his club. “If [owner] Mike Ashley and I were in that position we may sit back and say: ‘Do we need two players to push us away from relegation?’

"We might have taken the gamble too, but not irresponsibly. Tony is not being irresponsible he is giving himself and his club a chance. If he did not do anything then he would be criticised too.

“I would not criticise what QPR have done. I would say they have good people behind it and they are giving themselves a chance.”

Llambias also questioned Aston Villa lack of movement in the window, with the Midlands club welcoming only Yacouba Sylla and Simon Dawkins despite currently sitting in 19th.

He explained: “The same thing could be said at Villa, it is different for them, they are taking a gamble on the opposite side. They are saying ‘We have a decent squad, can they keep us up?’ That is a gamble too.

“Only a week ago, we were three points away from those guys, but we brought a couple of deals forward for Moussa Sissoko and Yoan Gouffran that we were going to do at the end of the season.

“Are Mike and I taking a gamble by bringing everything forward? No, it is what we felt we needed to do.”